Georgiann Skiba was not prepared to be told of the pingpong-ball-sized tumor in her breast, but she was even further unprepared for the mounting medical bills that would also come along with the devastating news. As she makes doctors visits and treatments, those which are saving her life, are also causing extreme financial difficulties and stress.

Despite her decent insurance, Skiba finds herself drowning in medical bills. According to a research study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, between 2010 and 2020 cancer treatment costs are expected to rise by 27%. Additional research by Cancer Support Community estimates that two-thirds of cancer patients experience some sort of emotional distress due to cancer's financial burden.

Luckily, more organizations and networks are addressing this need in the population by preparing patients for the financial implications of cancer earlier in their diagnoses.